Day 52

Woke up early this morning and the Dozier family made me a great breakfast. I got dropped off back on the highway and was so thankful for everything they did for me. We didn’t see eye to eye politically but I was very impressed with their humanity. They have a lovely home in what may be my favorite county of this trip so far.

I started walking and their was a good shoulder so things were good. It looked like rain was coming so I was hustling and trying to get to my destination as quickly as possible. In less than 10 minutes, a car pulls over and it was a girl around my age that was pretty and seemed very nice. She was actually related to the family who took great care of me in Lawrenceburg just 2 nights ago. She wanted to meet me and get a picture. She told me that she used to struggle with drugs and is now 2 years clean. What I am doing is not as half as hard as what she did and is still doing. I was so happy that we crossed paths.

Maybe 15 minutes after that a man pulls over and has a can of dog food and $20 for us. Says he saw me on the news and wanted to give this to us. Not 10 minutes later, an older woman drives by and hands me a $5 without even coming to a complete stop. I have no idea if she knew who I was or if she just saw me and wanted to help.

Not even one hour into my day and I’ve been blessed by 4 different people I’d never met before. Should I continue…. yes. I should….

Not much longer a woman named Amanda comes out of her car and gave some money and told me that she was going to call the local newspaper and get me in it. She gave some money also and talked for a few. Her connection with the paper was good because the reporter called me shortly after and we planned to meet up later.

I was walking through and the clouds looked gloomy. I walked by one farm and it looked like it was straight out of the movie “Twister” and I was starting to look around for places to tie my belt to so I could hold on while the tornado flies over me. Can never be too prepared….

Back to a more realistic frame of mind, I knew that I’d better set up Lieutenant Dan and Domino and myself for rain. It was definitely coming. As I was getting that done it came. I got it just in time! It still sucks walking in the rain but at least everything was staying dry. The rain wasn’t strong but just enough to annoy you.

I kept going anyways. I wanted to get to a state park ahead so that I could set up camp and just be done for the day.

The highway merged from 4 lanes into 2 lanes and the shoulder went from 8 feet to 8 inches. The traffic stayed the same. I was getting almost knocked over by the cars and semis and I am surprised that I am even here to talk about it. I pulled over to look at my map for other options. I had to add a couple of miles but without hesitation knew it would be worth it.

The alternate route was way better. I still wanted to hurry because of the rain but I figured the extra miles were still ok to take under the circumstances. There was hardly any traffic. I even took the leash off of Domino. She still walks in the same place as if she had it on but I know she likes to have it off. I like when she’s off the leash too.

I caught a break in the rain and sat down for snacks for me and Domino. I was getting close to the state park at this point. I look at my phone and get a message from one of the nice ladies that I met last night saying that she called ahead and took care of my fees at the state park and that I could stay in a cabin instead of a tent. I think everyone reading this sends a huge thank you!! I sure was happy about that. The sky was looking rough and I was nervous about sleeping outside.

I got to the park and was met by a woman from TAM and another closed group in Kentucky that helps bring support to parents of addicts. She brought a bunch of goodies for me and Domino and we sat and talked for a while. I loved her spirit.

Just a few minutes later, some girls in an ambulance drove by and got out to play with Domino. The name on their ambulance was Rescue 69. They asked if they could get a picture of me by the ambulance. Of course! It says rescue 69 on the side of it and I’ll forever be immature when it comes to stuff like that haha. They were awesome and Domino loved them.

While we were all playing and hanging out, the reporter from the local paper showed up and starting snapping pics and asking questions. It was a chaotic scene. I loved it! It was a great way to finish off the day. After the ambulance left, we were finishing up the interview and a couple who were coming to see the state park walk by and ask what was going on. We told them and the woman gave me a huge hug and started crying. Her grandson was currently in active addiction and it was something that she hasn’t been able to talk about much to anyone. The TAM momma took her under her wing and talked to her about some things to help her out. We must’ve stood there for 2 hours total. It was incredible.

I go inside to check into the park and the guy was like come on and I’ll throw the cart in the truck and take you up there. That was nice because it was all up a steep hill. I got to the cabin and settled in and hung all of my wet stuff up. I posted on Facebook to let people know where I was at and invited anyone else out as well.

A woman and her husband and their dog came to hang out. She was so sweet. She saw my picture from when I bought all of the junk food back in Cincinnati and bought some of the same things for me and Domino. And she brought a roll of duct tape!  Which I actually needed 🙂 I will always think of them when I use it.

We talked for a long time. I really enjoyed them both. Their son is in the shit pretty bad and they are trying to cope. I was very proud of her for talking about it. I could tell it made her feel better and she let me know that it did also. She gave me some insight into how  what I’m doing is bringing hope to people. I was moved. It gives me chills.

Another person from Facebook came out. A family of 5. Awesome guy and his awesome wife and their 3 boys. 3 boys that have their dad in their life because he cleaned up his. Sober for 42 months AND helping others in recovery in his area. I was honored to meet him. He knew a lot of the same people I’d met 2 nights before. I am definitely coming back to Dearborn County Indiana. Great things are being done here.

I wish I could express it better in words how much these people mean to me. I was telling my new friend that I feel like I am being pushed across America. It’s like it’s not even hard. I just keep ending up farther and farther and I have no idea how I’ve done this. I mean I walked to Indiana from the Atlantic Ocean. I’m not some walker guy or a hiker. This is absolutely insane for me. I love it though!

As I was typing that last paragraph, I just received a text saying that my page just reached 5,000 people! What a day! No words….